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Dissertation Information for Patricia Ellen Feehan

NAME:
- Patricia Ellen Feehan

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science

SCHOOL:
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (USA) (1991)

ADVISORS:
- Barbara B. Moran

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- Elfreda Annmary Chatman
- Edward G. Holley
- Susan Steinfirst
- Marilyn Lea Miller

MPACT Status: Fully Complete

Title: State library agency youth services consultants: Their potential as agents of change

Abstract: There is a documented body of theory which contends that change agents are a key factor in implementing planned change and diffusing innovations. Research has also defined one role of the change agent, that of consultant, to be important in facilitating the change and innovation process through the functions of catalyst, problem-solver, process-helper and resource-linker. This descriptive study focuses on a population of library consultants employed by state library agencies in full-time and part-time positions in the area of public library services to children and young adults. Theoretically the study explores the relationship between the concept of change agent and the population surveyed in terms of change agent characteristics which include: (a) knowledge, (b) skills and abilities, (c) attitudes, (d) personality characteristics, and (e) roles and functions. Practically, the study offers information concerning this population which has not previously existed in the literature: a description of the personal and professional characteristics; an analysis of the roles and functions; and a description of the activities of youth services consultants within their work environment.

Data were gathered through two questionnaires. The first was mailed to 50 state library agency youth services consultants and elicited information on demographic and professional characteristics, selected employment history, background education and experience, consulting activities, consultant roles and functions, and respondents' attitudes toward consulting. A second questionnaire was mailed to 13 full-time youth services consultants identified through the first questionnaire. This questionnaire measured the consultants' self-perceptions of change agent personality traits and attitudes toward the roles of change agent. Descriptive statistics were used to provide profiles of both a full-time and a part-time state library agency youth services consultant.

This study has determined that the population under examination by virtue of their characteristics, roles and responsibilities of consultants have the potential to become agents of change. They are professionals qualified by education, knowledge, experience and temperament to advise public library youth services personnel. They are in a position to link the library-client system to internal and external resources, to assist in continuing professional growth and development and to act as a catalyst for change.

MPACT Scores for Patricia Ellen Feehan

A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:20:18

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